Help‐seeking amongst women survivors of domestic violence: a qualitative study of pathways towards formal and informal support

Background Informal and formal support for women experiencing domestic violence and abuse (DVA) can improve safety and health outcomes. There has been little qualitative work on the role of both pathways to support and women's experiences of disclosing their experience of DVA in different contexts. Objective and study design This qualitative study used repeat interviews with women survivors of DVA to explore their pathways to support and their experiences of barriers and facilitators to disclosure and help‐seeking. Setting and participants Thirty‐one women seeking help from specialist DVA agencies in the UK were interviewed twice over 5 months. Results Women recounted long journeys of ambivalence, often only disclosing abuse after leaving the perpetrator. Access to specialist support rarely came via general practitioners, despite high levels of consulting for anxious and depressed feelings, and was more often facilitated by police or housing agencies following a crisis such as assault. Informal disclosure only led to specialist help if the family member or friend themselves had experience or knowledge of DVA. Discussion and conclusions Women experiencing DVA need earlier access to specialized DVA services. Many women needed an ‘enabler’ to facilitate access, but once this contact was made, disclosure to other professionals or to family and friends was legitimized in the eyes of the women. Safely accessible publicity about DVA services and an appropriate response from social and health‐care professionals should be promoted, including support for women disclosing DVA to take action on the information they receive about services.